2 Teens Dead, 3 Critically Injured From Rollover Crash On Route 52

Three high school students were hospitalized early today following a rollover crash on state Route 52 that left two teens dead, authorities said.

The double fatality on eastbound state Route 52 at Convoy Street was reported at 11:46 p.m. Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Witnesses told the CHP that the teens were in a Volkswagen Passat that was racing with a Volvo at speeds between 100 and 110 miles per hour when the crash occurred. CHP Sgt. Kevin Mensior told reporters the teens were from an East County high school and were headed home from a beach party in La Jolla.

The driver of the Volvo, also a teen who attended the party, was detained at the scene, the CHP reported. The Volvo did not crash and no one in the vehicle was injured.

Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash but marijuana may have played a role, Mensior said.